Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh addressed the media following his brief exit during the first quarter of Sunday’s victory over the Denver Broncos due to a health issue. Harbaugh revealed that he experienced atrial flutter, a form of arrhythmia characterized by an unusually rapid heart rate, prompting him to seek medical assistance.
During a timeout, he was treated by paramedics in the locker room, where an electrocardiogram scan was performed, successfully restoring his heart rhythm. Harbaugh returned to the sidelines shortly thereafter and remained in charge for the rest of the game.
He shared that he had experienced a similar incident while coaching the San Francisco 49ers in 2012, when he felt an irregular heartbeat during a game against the Chicago Bears on “Monday Night Football.” After that game, he received medical attention.
Harbaugh underwent an ablation procedure in which heat or cold is used to eliminate the heart tissue responsible for the irregular heartbeat. He previously had this procedure in 1999 as well.
“2-0 with an arrhythmia,” he humorously remarked.
While Harbaugh was briefly absent, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter stepped in as interim head coach. However, many players, including quarterback Justin Herbert, were unaware of Harbaugh’s situation until it was brought up during postgame interviews.
“He’s tough,” Herbert commented. “He did a really good job of hiding that then because I was unaware of it. They did a good job of keeping calm. I hope he’s OK.”
Harbaugh noted that he felt discomfort the night before the game but did not think much of it. During pregame warmups, he recognized the irregular heartbeat and informed the training staff during the first quarter. While he did not disclose whether he would need another ablation, he mentioned that his previous experiences align with a potential need for one again.
“I haven’t felt it since 2012,” he said. “The one in ’99, 13 years later, I had to have the procedure done again, so I figured I was getting close to the 13-year mark.”
His brother, John Harbaugh, head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, paused his own press conference after their win over the Washington Commanders to check on Jim. Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz informed John that doctors had cleared Jim and that he was fine.
The Chargers won the game against the Broncos with a score of 23-16, improving their season record to 3-2.